Silvis is easily the best literary mystery writer you're not reading right now, the most overlooked by a long stretch. Silvis' narratives are wholly driven by the characters and not the plot, character studies of the men and women involved in the work of murder investigation - focused on their lives as they are shaped, in both positive and negative ways, by the work they do. In this fourth installment, Ryan DeMarco is helping his partner recover from a violent and life-changing loss, and they decide to put their minds into the work as therapy. The work this time is a particularly brutal murder of three people in the Pennsylvania woods. There's not a lot of whodunit here, but a lot of 'how are we going to prove' what we know. Along the way, DeMarco begins to construct a family life to fill the void left by the loss of his own years earlier. The literary quality is high, as is to be expected from Silvis, and the readability is off the charts. If you're not reading Silvis, you're missing out.

5 bones!!!!! ( )

No Woods So Dark as These by Randall Silvis is a very highly recommended procedural and the fourth book in the Ryan DeMarco Series.

Ryan DeMarco, former Sergeant with the Pennsylvania State Police, and Jayme Matson, a former State Trooper, have earned a break. The two have decided to take time off to recover from the horror and devastation of their last case, including the loss of their unborn child. Their goal is for a peaceful life while they both recover mentally and emotionally. That goal is shattered when Ryan's old boss Capt. Kyle Bowen requests their help in the investigation of a horrendous crime scene. Two bodies are burned beyond recognition in a car while nearby a man is impaled with rebar to a tree. The leads take them into the world of a drug dealer. While they are helping to uncover clues and track down the main suspect, there is information a former colleague is trying to hint at that must be figured out and their old nemesis Daksh Khatri is clearly targeting both of them.

No Woods So Dark as These is absolutely riveting and held my rapt attention from beginning to end. The characters are well-developed and portrayed as very complex, humane, intelligent individuals. I loved everything about them. They are both in a pensive, reflective mood in the novel and are trying to leave the darkness of all their previous investigations and life experiences behind while looking for a peaceful existence and healing. They are both good people who have been conscripted into another investigation full of horror, lies, scheming, fear, and subterfuge. It will warm the hearts of dog lovers everywhere when they adopt a puppy and set about naming him. Not only does it lighten the darkness, it is endearing.

The plot is very well paced and the short chapters keep the narrative moving, making the investigation, clues, and action easy to follow. The story can be dark due to the nature of the case they are following as well as the people and the clues. This is a case that requires the careful, watchful experience of seasoned investigators who are used to uncovering clues and facts that people are desperate to keep hidden. The ending is a jaw-dropping, heart-stopping moment.

The four books in the Ryan DeMarco Mystery Series are: Two Days Gone (Book 1); Walking the Bones (Book 2); A Long Way Down (Book 3); and No Woods So Dark as These (Book 4). You can read this final book as a stand-alone, but, after lamenting your poor choices in life, you will want to immediately go back and read the first three leading up to the fourth.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Sourcebooks via Netgalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2020/08/no-woods-so-dark-as-these.html
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3514721641 ( )

Review of Advance Reader’s Edition

The discovery of a horrific scene hidden in the forest brings former Pennsylvania State Troopers Ryan DeMarco and Jayme Matson into an investigation in which they have many theories and little evidence. Will they be able to find the proof they need before someone else falls victim to a crazed killer?

Forth in the series, this book stands on its own with sufficient backstory and references to the previous case to keep readers new to the series informed and up to date. The writing is eloquent and well-crafted. The plot takes several unexpected twists as the story slowly unfolds and an underlying tension throughout the telling of the tale keeps readers on edge.

The characters are well-developed, nuanced, and believable. Thanks to their continual introspectiveness, Ryan and Jayme have depth and realism, but that same introspectiveness also imparts a substantial heaviness to the telling of the tale. [And why is it that, throughout the book, Ryan is almost always referred to by his last name?].

For fans of the series, this is a must-read book. However, the huge cliffhanger is sure to be a major frustration for most readers.

Recommended. ( )

No Woods So Dark as These
Ryan DeMarco Mystery #4

An absolute must read for lover’s of the Ryan DeMaro series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
Former State Trooper Jayme Matson and Former Sergeant Ryan DeMarco are spending some quiet time recovering from some recent cases and the loss of their unborn child. But the door bell rings and once again the two are dragged into another case.

Two bodies are discovered in a smoldering car in the Pennsylvania woods, and another body is found brutally impaled to a tree nearby. As much as Ryan and Jamye would like to leave the case to former colleagues, they just can’t say no. Who committed these heinous act? Why?

REVIEW
No Woods So Dark as These is the fourth book in the Ryan DeMarco series. If you have read the other three books you absolutely have to read this one. It will leave you speechless.

My favorite thing about this book, as well as the series, is Ryan’s character. He ponders of the meaning of life and love and forges ahead despite the horrendous experiences he has had in his lifetime. But even more than that he has tremendous respect and love for Jayme and he is not afraid to show it or to talk about the impact that their relationship has had on him. His emotions are real and raw.

It’s a fast moving and dark story of murder and mayhem. The short chapters make the book a fast read. The light in this dark story is Hero, the shepherd-mix puppy that Ryan rescues from an abusive dog-stealer. The descriptions of Ryan and Jayme’s interactions and relationship with the puppy are fun.

I have loved this series and this book is no different, although this one seems to have a few more rough edges, repetition and incongruent thoughts than in the past. Despite that it’s still worth the read, particularly if you have read the others.

Author Randall Silvis is an author of over a dozen novels most recently his Ryan DeMarco series which includes: Two Days Gone (2017), Walking the Bones (2018), and A Long Way Down (2019).

Thanks to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher Poisoned Pen Press
Published August 4, 2020
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

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